Vazhuthananga Curry (Kerala Aubergine Coconut Curry)
Soft aubergine and potato in a creamy coconut sauce, mild enough for the whole family and ready in 40 minutes.
Made with South Indian coconut curry base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 mins
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.06 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a large non stick pan over a medium high heat. Fry the aubergine in two batches for 6 minutes each, until browned and soft. Set aside.
12 min - 2
Add the remaining oil and the curry leaves. Cook for 20 seconds, then add the potatoes and the water. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
10 min - 3
Cook the basmati rice to the packet instructions.
- 4
Stir in your ready made South Indian coconut curry base (see the base recipe), the tamarind paste and the aubergine. Simmer gently for 10 minutes, until the potato is tender and the aubergine soft.
10 min - 5
Taste for salt and tamarind and serve with the rice.
Tips
- Salt the aubergine pieces for 15 minutes and pat dry to reduce bitterness and oil absorption.
- Roast the aubergine on a tray at 220C (200C fan) for 20 minutes instead of frying if you prefer less oil.
- Tamarind gives the pleasant sour edge. A squeeze of lime at the end is a fair swap.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours. Keeps for 3 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer. Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I use ready made fried aubergine?
Not really. Fry or roast fresh aubergine for the best texture, since pre cooked pieces can turn mushy.
Is this curry hot?
It is mild to medium. Heat comes from the green chillies in the base, which you can remove.
What goes well with it?
Rice, chapatis or parathas. For a feast add a dal such as parippu curry and a crunchy salad.
More made with south indian coconut curry base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.